XF-85 Goblin
| McDonnell XF-85 Goblin |
|---|
XF-85 Goblin |
| Description |
|---|
| Role | Parasite fighter |
| Crew | 1 |
| Dimensions |
|---|
| Length | 14 ft 10 in | 4.5 m |
| Wingspan | 21 ft 1 in | 6.4 m |
| Height | 8 ft 3 in | 2.5 m |
| Wing area | 90 ft² | 8.3 m² |
| Weights |
|---|
| Empty | 3,740 lb | 1,696 kg |
| Loaded | 4,550 lb | 2,063 kg |
| Powerplant |
|---|
| Engines | Westinghouse XJ-34 |
| Power | 3,000 lb force | 13 kN |
| Performance |
|---|
| Maximum speed | 664 mph | 1,069 km/h |
| Combat range | | |
| Ferry range | | |
| Service ceiling | 48,000 ft | 15,000 m |
| Rate of climb | 12,500 ft/min | 3,800 m/min |
| Armament |
|---|
| Guns | 4 times 0.50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns |
The McDonnell XF-85 Goblin was a fighter aircraft, conceived during World War II and intended to be carried in the bomb bay of the giant Convair B-36 bomber as a defensive parasite fighter. Its first flight was on 23 August, 1948.
Two prototypes were built, and both still survive; one in the USAF Air Museum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and the other at the Strategic Air Command Museum in Ashland, Ohio.
Four factors combined to kill the XF-85 program.
- Docking with the bomber 'host' proved much more difficult than thought; even experienced test pilots had trouble.
- The XF-85 was no match for the conventional enemy fighters it would have to engage to defend the bombers - it was slower and much more lightly armed.
- The range of jet escort fighters improved so that they could accompany the bombers further.
- Tight budgets meant that less important programs were canned.
All tests undertaken on the XF-85 were carried out using a Boeing B-29 Superfortress bomber because a prototype B-36 was unavailable. Later, a B-36 was used as a mother ship for similar tests, carrying a conventional Republic F-84 Thunderstreak fighter. These tests, known as F-82 -
XP-83 -
F-84 -
XF-85 -
F-86 -
XF-87 -
XF-88
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|Related Lists
|align="center"|List of military aircraft of the United States - List of fighter aircraft
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